The population of our country is gradually growing older. As the number of seniors has increased, the legal profession has recognized that the elderly have special needs that other members of the legal profession may overlook. For this reason, elder law was created. Lawyers in this profession specialize in topics that are essential for maintaining the rights and well-being of the elderly. They work with elderly clients and those who take care of aging family members to ensure that the aging individual’s needs are met in the best manner possible.
What Can an Elder Law Specialist Help With?
Let’s look at what areas you can expect an elder law attorney to help you navigate. These include, but are not limited to:
Estate Planning
Everyone is familiar with the subject of wills, but estate planning is much more. You may need advice on how to set up trusts, write and have an advanced directive carried out, or deal with property matters. In some cases, you may end up needing someone to make decisions for you. Setting up a guardianship now while you have a say can be easily done with elder law.
Social Security and Health Insurance
Social security can be a confusing thing. An elder law attorney can help you apply for benefits and fight for you if you are denied. If you were previously on disability, an elder law attorney can make sure you get the full amount of benefits you deserve. Medicare is another confusing topic. You can get information that helps you understand your benefits and help choose the additional Medigap plans. If needed, the lawyer can also help you apply for Medicaid to cover additional costs. Finally, they can help you find ways to cover the cost of long-term care that may not be initially covered with your insurance.
Elder Abuse or Fraud
There are some people out there who find it their mission to prey upon the elderly. Should this happen, an elder law attorney can make sure you are heard by the authorities and get adequate compensation in court. The elder abuse lawyer can help you prove elder abuse cases and walk you through the steps necessary to have the perpetrator brought to justice. Being the victim of abuse or fraud can be intimidating and confusing. Trying to keep track of everything necessary can add to the issue. Many cases of both go unpunished because the victim had no help.
Grandparent’s Rights
Families aren’t always getting along, and grandparents are often penalized for having a poor relationship with their children. An elder law attorney can help you gain access to visitation rights with your grandchildren if their parents are acting against the child’s best wishes.
Complex Life Issues
Families today are much more complex than in the past. There are many more marriages, divorces, and remarriage. There may be children from different marriages. Blended families are more common today than ever before. In addition, travel is much easier, so a person may have two or more properties. There may be situations where part of the family is estranged, and not part of the will. All these issues can lead to many arguments when the time comes for dividing up property or other assets. It can even create an issue about who will plan a memorial service and what kind of interment will be utilized. The elder law attorney can discuss these issues with you in advance and make a legal note of what you personally want. They can help you create plans for making your wishes legal in case there are issues. You deserve what you personally wish.
Learn More About Elder Law at SeniorSmart
If you or someone you care about could benefit from the services of an elder law attorney, reach out to SeniorSmart online today or call 205.460.1124 to learn more.
